Chapter 66 Earnest Words
Fortunately, Lu Xiuwei was busy sewing shoes and didn't look out the window.
Lu Xiuye happened to be in the kitchen boiling water, otherwise she wouldn't have dared to blatantly scare Yang Juanhua like that.
She was also afraid that if her two daughters saw this, they would be frightened and think that she had really become some kind of vicious and cruel person, leaving them with a psychological trauma.
A little while later, Lu Xiuye returned with a kettle of hot water, poured the water into a large basin, and steam rose up.
Two freshly slaughtered chickens were placed in a hot water spray, and their feathers were quickly scalded and loosened, falling off with a gentle pull.
Shen Cuifen and Lu Xiuye squatted on the ground, one catching a chicken and the other plucking its feathers.
In no time, the two chickens were cleaned and placed naked on the cutting board.
She had already planned it out: she would use one to make soup, which would be thick, white, and nourishing.
The other one is cut into small pieces and stir-fried with dried chili peppers; it's incredibly delicious with rice.
She raised this chicken with great care.
Let alone meat, she wasn't even allowed to taste an egg once.
Yang Juanhua is getting old, and besides weaving straw mats to earn some pocket money, she can only sell some eggs.
She used to think that such a small thing was not worth fussing over.
But now it seems that Shen Cuifen was too lenient!
The kitchen was filled with the clanging and clattering of pots and pans, the lids being lifted and put back on, and the flames crackling in the stove.
Around 4 o'clock, a rich aroma began to waft through the room.
After so many arguments these past few days, they all know that Shen Cuifen will no longer cook for them.
Apart from the daughters and Lu Zhongshun, no one wanted to go into the kitchen, fearing they would be scolded or ordered to do chores.
While others stayed away, Shen Cuifen found it peaceful and quiet.
The kitchen became her personal domain, where she could do whatever she wanted without having to worry about anyone else's feelings.
The chicken soup was ready, so she ladled out a bowl and placed it by the stove to cool slightly before drinking it.
After the fragrant diced chicken was stir-fried, she put half of it into that old metal lunchbox.
This is what Lu Xiuwei is planning to take to school to eat.
Lu Zhongshun stood by the stove, pacing back and forth, his eyes fixed on the diced chicken, his throat bobbing involuntarily.
"Zhongshun, come here for a second, Mom wants to talk to you."
Lu Zhongshun pursed his lips, swallowed back his saliva, and obediently walked over.
Shen Cuifen spoke in a very low voice, almost whispering in Lu Zhongshun's ear.
Seeing this, Lu Xiuye immediately pricked up her ears, trying hard to catch those fleeting words.
No matter how hard she tried to concentrate, she couldn't hear a single word.
She only saw Lu Zhongshun's eyes widen for a moment, as if he had been frightened by something.
He then pursed his lips, his expression grave, as if he were struggling intensely inside.
"Do you understand what to do now?"
After Shen Cuifen finished speaking, she winked at him, her eyes revealing a hint of cunning and trust.
As if enlightened, Lu Zhongshun nodded obediently.
Shen Cuifen then grinned, revealing a set of neat white teeth, her smile showing both satisfaction and relief.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Lu Xiuwei's cheerful and clear voice came from outside.
"Mom! These shoes are so beautiful!"
Wearing those new shoes, Lu Xiuwei dashed into the kitchen to show them off to Shen Cuifen.
She deliberately walked on tiptoe, afraid of getting even a speck of dust on her hard-won red shoes.
"It's because my daughter is beautiful; she looks good in anything!"
As Shen Cuifen scooped rice with a large iron ladle, she praised him with a smile, her eyes full of affection.
The once quiet, taciturn girl who always kept her head down now looks like a completely different person in these red shoes.
"Yes, yes, yes! Mom is right! Fourth Sister is beautiful, she looks good in anything! Eldest Sister is beautiful too!"
Lu Zhongshun stared intently at the two bowls of golden, glistening chicken on the stove.
Even though his own mouth was practically watering, he still couldn't resist sweetly joining in the fun.
His eyes darted around, and he suddenly lowered his voice, his tone sarcastic.
"I wish I could have a pair of corduroy shoes, that would be even more beautiful."
After saying that, he secretly glanced at Shen Cuifen, his eyes full of expectation and probing.
If he really wore those fashionable corduroy shoes, Er Gou would be green with envy.
You might even have to call him "brother" with utmost respect!
"It's not impossible!"
Shen Cuifen didn't even look up, continuing to eat her rice while smiling and replying to him.
"As long as you do what Mom asked you to do, what's a pair of shoes! I'll even give you a pair of socks!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhongshun immediately beamed with joy, waved his hands haphazardly in the air, and gave a less-than-perfect military salute.
"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"
His comical appearance caused Shen Cuifen, Lu Xiuye, and Lu Xiuwei to cover their mouths and burst into laughter again.
A crisp laugh rang out from the kitchen, spreading through the yard like a spring breeze.
The people hiding in the various rooms all heard it.
Although they were in different rooms and couldn't see each other's faces, their expressions were strikingly similar—
Their faces were grim, their complexions ashen, and they gritted their teeth, as if they wanted nothing more than to rush in and smash the steaming pot.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the four of them were eating with their mouths full of oil, and the aroma was irresistible.
After the meal, Shen Cuifen wiped her mouth and, while clearing away the dishes, instructed, "Zhongshun, take the bones to feed the dog. Guizhen, wash the pot clean and take the leftovers to feed the pigs!"
She didn't want to leave even a trace of meaty flavor for those lurking in the shadows with ulterior motives.
"Okay!"
The two of them quickly stood up from their chairs, began to tidy up their things, and then went about their respective tasks.
Shen Cuifen picked up the bowl of chicken soup she had specially left on the stove and walked briskly toward the main room.
The chicken soup was placed securely on the table, making a soft "thump" sound as the bottom of the bowl touched the wooden table.
Just then, Lu Xiuye finished washing the last stack of dishes and chopsticks.
She wiped her hands and walked over to Shen Cuifen.
Shen Cuifen nodded to her, then said, "Let's go, let's take your sister to town together."
Because the painful experience from her previous life was still firmly etched in her mind, Shen Cuifen was still very flustered.
She feared that if she made the slightest mistake, she would repeat the same mistake.
Along the way, she held Lu Xiuwei's hand and repeatedly told her, "Listen to your mother, never think about making money again. Money can ruin people, understand? The most important thing for you now is to study hard!"
"Mom, you've said it eight hundred times on the way here, I've memorized it! My ears are practically calloused!"
Lu Xiuwei couldn't help but laugh out loud and gently shook Shen Cuifen's arm.
"I promise I'll never have those kinds of ideas again!"
"I'll focus on my studies! Don't bother seeing me off anymore. I walk this road every week, I know it like the back of my hand, and I'm not afraid of anyone eating me!"
Lu Xiuwei was very puzzled; something seemed off about what had happened today.
Shen Cuifen never took her to school on purpose.
Why did you not only come in person today, but also insist on bringing your eldest sister, Lu Xiuye, along as well?
"Just keep it in mind."
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